Match Overview
Round 12 of the 2025-26 Serie A season brought several compelling fixtures — but two storylines stood out: AS Roma’s ascent to first place, and a dramatic Sassuolo vs Pisa clash that featured a lightning-fast penalty.
Here are some of the key results (from the round):
- Cagliari 3 – 3 Genoa
- Udinese 0 – 3 Bologna
- Fiorentina 1 – 1 Juventus
- Napoli 3 – 1 Atalanta
- Hellas Verona 1 – 2 Parma
- Cremonese 1 – 3 Roma
- Lazio 2 – 0 Lecce
- Inter 0 – 1 Milan
- Sassuolo 2 – 2 Pisa
- Torino 1 – 5 Como
Derby della Madonnina: Inter vs Milan
Result: Inter 0 – 1 Milan
Decisive Moment: Christian Pulisic’s goal in the second half.
Match Report & Key Moments
- The match was intense from the start, with Inter pressing hard, but Maignan in goal for Milan produced several excellent saves to keep his side in the game.
- In the 54th minute, Milan broke the deadlock: after some build-up, Pulisic pounced on a loose ball in the box and tapped in to make it 1–0.
- Later, Inter were awarded a penalty following a foul by Pavlovic (which was checked by VAR), but Calhanoglu stepped up and saw his shot saved by Maignan, denying the equalizer.
- Despite late pressure, Inter couldn’t find a way through. Maignan’s reflexes and composure proved crucial, and Milan held on for the win.
Tactical Notes & Performance
- Inter: Looked dangerous, especially in the first half, with good wing play and supply to their forwards. But they lacked the finishing touch, and their penalty miss was costly.
- Milan: Compact and efficient. Their defensive discipline, combined with Pulisic’s poacher instincts, made the difference.
- Maignan (Milan): Clearly the man of the match for saving the penalty and multiple other chances.
Implications
- This win allowed Milan to leapfrog Inter in the standings after Round 12.
- For Inter, the loss is a significant blow — not just because of the derby, but because they dropped points in a crucial phase of the season.
Napoli vs Atalanta: Key Match Report
Result: Napoli 3 – 1 Atalanta
Goals:
- Napoli: David Neres (×2), Lang
- Atalanta: Scamacca
Match Description
- Napoli struck first in the 17th minute: Neres was set up by Højlund and finished clinically, giving the hosts an early edge.
- They doubled their lead before half-time: Neres again, this time in diagonal, making it 2–0.
- Just before the break, Lang added a third for Napoli, heading home from a Di Lorenzo cross, leaving Atalanta trailing 3–0.
- Atalanta tried to mount a comeback after the interval. Scamacca reduced the deficit with a powerful girata (turning shot) following a cross from Bellanova.
- Despite some pressure, Napoli held on comfortably to seal the win.
Tactical Analysis & Key Players
- Napoli: Showed sharp attacking instincts. Their transitions were particularly effective, and the wing play (with Di Lorenzo) was a real weapon. Their finishing was clinical.
- Atalanta: Tried to play from the back and generate through midfield, but Napoli’s intensity made life difficult. The goal from Scamacca was a sign that they refused to give up, but getting back from 3–0 down proved too steep a climb.
- David Neres (Napoli): Man of the match — two goals, constant threat, intelligent movement.
- Scamacca (Atalanta): Showed his class, but needed more support around him.
What This Means for the Season
- Napoli: This win is significant as it helps them stay in the mix at the top of the table. Scoring three shows their attacking depth, and keeping Atalanta at bay is a big confidence boost.
- Atalanta: The loss is a setback. They’ll need to regroup, especially in defense and midfield cohesion, to challenge the top teams.
Roma Take Command — Leaders After Round 12
AS Roma made a statement in Round 12 by claiming first place in Serie A. They defeated Cremonese 3–1 away, with goals from Matías Soulé (17’), Evan Ferguson (64’), and Wesley Franca (69’).
This win brought them to 27 points after 12 games, putting them ahead of Napoli and Inter.
It’s the first time Roma have sat alone at the top since the 2013-14 season.
Their surge reflects a strong adaptation to Gian Piero Gasperini’s ideas, combining defensive resilience with more incisive attack.
Sassuolo vs Pisa: Penalty Drama & Last-Gasp Equalizer
One of the most dramatic moments of Round 12 came in the Monday night match at the Mapei Stadium, where Sassuolo and Pisa played out a 2–2 draw.
- In just the 4th minute, Pisa was awarded a penalty following a VAR check, after a foul by Candé on Touré.
- M’Bala Nzola stepped up and converted, giving Pisa an early lead.
- But Sassuolo struck back almost immediately: Nemanja Matić volleyed in from close range in the 6th minute to level it.
- In the second half, Henrik Meister restored Pisa’s lead with a breakaway goal in the 81st minute.
- Just when it seemed like Pisa might hold on, Kristian Thorstvedt scored in the 95th minute (90+5) for Sassuolo to force a dramatic draw.
Crucially, that penalty came within the first seconds of the match: according to reports, the foul happened just five seconds after kickoff, making Nzola’s spot-kick potentially one of the fastest penalties in Serie A this season.
Key Moments & Turning Points
- Very early penalty for Pisa set the tone: winning a spot-kick so quickly is rare and showed Pisa’s energy and willingness to attack immediately.
- Immediate response from Matic: instead of freezing, Sassuolo answered right away, showing mental resilience.
- Meister’s second-half strike suggested Pisa would take all three points.
- Late equalizer by Thorstvedt: a stoppage-time goal underlines Sassuolo’s persistence and handed them a valuable point.
Tactical Breakdown
- Sassuolo: They appeared organized in midfield with Matic anchoring the build-up. In attack, they used the wings but also relied on late runs (Thorstvedt) to punish breakdowns. Their defensive structure struggled early with the penalty, but they stayed compact in the second half to absorb pressure until the very end.
- Pisa: Under Alberto Gilardino, they played with ambition. Their wing play was dangerous, and they quickly won the penalty. In midfield, they tried to maintain control, and on the break, they capitalized through Meister.
Player Performances
- M’Bala Nzola (Pisa): Calm under pressure, converted the early penalty, showing his composure.
- Nemanja Matić (Sassuolo): Delivered a stunning volley just minutes after conceding — a vital response.
- Henrik Meister (Pisa): Took his chance to put his team ahead with a composed finish.
- Kristian Thorstvedt (Sassuolo): The match-winner in stoppage time, showing determination in a big moment.
Implications for the Season
- Roma: Being top after 12 games could be a springboard. If they maintain consistency, they are serious contenders. Their mix of solid defense and opportunistic attack under Gasperini is proving effective.
- Pisa: The draw is bittersweet — they showed fight and quality but maybe dropped two points. Still, securing a point on the road in such fashion suggests they’re not just here to survive.
- Sassuolo: Their ability to rally late will boost morale. This point might feel like a win and could be important as the season progresses.
Conclusion & Key Takeaways from Round 12
- Roma’s 3–1 win over Cremonese pushed them to first place alone, an important milestone in their campaign.
- The Derby della Madonnina went the way of Milan, with Pulisic’s second-half goal and a crucial save by Maignan from a penalty denying Inter.
- Napoli delivered a strong performance against Atalanta, showing attacking efficiency and discipline to win 3–1.
- Sassuolo and Pisa played out a dramatic 2–2 draw (as noted before), and other results like the Cagliari-Genoa draw and Bologna’s win kept the mid-table tight.
Fan Reactions & Atmosphere
- For Roma fans, this is a moment of optimism: being alone at the top again brings back memories of tougher seasons and raises hopes.